Enhanced fastener pattern for improved shear capacity in walls

Abstract

A wall framing system is provided, including a frame including upper and lower horizontal members attached to each other by a plurality of horizontally-spaced vertical studs forming a frame, at least one wall panel secured to the frame, the panel having at least one corner, a plurality of fasteners securing each panel to the frame. The fasteners have a prescribed spacing. A denser pattern of the fasteners, narrower than said prescribed spacing, is applied at each corner than on other portions of the panel.

1 . A wall framing system, including:
 a frame including upper and lower horizontal members attached to each other by a plurality of horizontally-spaced vertical studs forming a frame;   at least one wall panel secured to said frame, said panel having at least one corner;   a plurality of fasteners securing each said at least one panel to said frame, said fasteners having a prescribed spacing; and   a denser pattern of said fasteners, narrower than said prescribed spacing, being applied at each said corner than on other portions of the panel.   
     
     
         2 . The wall framing system of  claim 1 , wherein said fasteners at each said corner have a 2 inch (5 cm) spacing. 
     
     
         3 . The wall framing system of  claim 1 , wherein said fasteners include 12 screws at each corner having a 2 inch (5 cm) spacing. 
     
     
         4 . The wall framing system of  claim 1 , wherein upon assembly, said wall system includes a single thickness of said panels and said studs are single ended, said wall system has a shear capacity of 3,137 lb., which is at least 10% stronger than walls having conventional fastener spacing. 
     
     
         5 . The wall framing system of  claim 1 , wherein upon assembly, said wall system includes a single thickness of said panels and said studs are double ended, said wall system has a shear capacity of at least 5,000 lb. 
     
     
         6 . The wall framing system of  claim 5 , wherein upon placement of said denser fastener spacing at panel corners, said shear capacity increases at least 40% from walls having conventional fastener spacing. 
     
     
         7 . The wall framing system of  claim 1 , wherein said fasteners have a first spacing along vertical and horizontal edges of said at least one panel and a second, denser spacing at said at least one corner. 
     
     
         8 . The wall framing system of  claim 7 , wherein said first spacing is one of 4inches and 6 inches, and said second spacing is 2 inches.